‘Blue mass’ honours public safety workers

St. Augustine of Canterbury Church in Brandon hosted its first “blue mass” on Thursday morning to show appreciation for public safety workers and inspire children.

The church service attracted police officers, firefighters and a member of the correctional service, amounting to about 25 officials in attendance, organizers told the Sun. The event was combined with a field day where students from St. Augustine School were given tours through emergency vehicles.

Organizer Linda Chiupka said trust of people in authority positions appears to have been declining in recent years.

“I thought this would be a good event to try and restore that,” she said. “You can trust people in positions of authority. They’re your friends, and they are here to help you.”

The school invited several emergency response departments for the day. The front rows of the church were reserved in the morning for public safety workers, as a service was led by Rev. John Okosun.

“We honour you today, to let you know that we acknowledge the numerous work you do in our community,” Okosun said.

“We want you to know today that you are not alone, our prayers are with you,” he said. “We gather to offer you our moral and spiritual support.”

Okosun in his homily thanked law enforcement personnel, firefighters, paramedics, correctional officers and military personnel.

Two students then led a prayer, which honoured those who lost their lives in the line of duty. The mass prayed for the strength and comfort of affected families, and peace in the community.

Children were there to give thanks, but also to learn about the important work and be inspired to continue it, Okosun said.

Following the service, Brandon Police Service brought K9 Blink to the schoolyard as well as an armoured vehicle for a demonstration. Paramedics brought an ambulance, and Brandon Fire and Emergency Services parked a fire truck for children to tour. Shilo firefighters were also on scene.

A church official told the Sun it was great to see first responders meet with excited kids, because most of their days can be spent facing terrible things. BPS Const. Michael Dixon said it was refreshing.

“A lot of our days are going to calls for services where we are dealing with people in the worst times of their lives. There’s a lot of negativity that you absorb,” he said.

“When you can go to work on a day like this when everything is centred around positivty … to be there with children and see everyone light up, everyone be happy and everyone have fun and interact on terms where there hadn’t been a critical incident, is really refreshing.”

Dixon said all four police officers present on Thursday greatly appreciated the experience.

“We were certainly honoured.”

Jesse Billiaert, a firefighter paramedic with BFES, told the Sun firefighters really enjoyed the mass as well.

“We were appreciative to have that time there today and I thought it was great,” Billiaert said. “It’s nice to hear some of those comments. Those were really kind words.”

Thursday was the first mass dedicated to public safety workers. Chiupka said she organized the one-hour service after seeing a similar one in the United States that had been held on the anniversary of 9/11.

As religious education co-ordinator, Chiupka wants to continue the dedicated church service as an annual event. She said it was a successful first year, and the field day was warmly welcomed by the students.

“The kids are absolutely thrilled,” she said.

» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com